Has Tomlin lost this team?

[T.Ferguson]

I’ve also seen the Texans up big early in the playoffs and try a fake punt being “aggressive” while up 21-0.

They lost 51 to 31.

It doesn’t matter which way you play if you can’t stop them once they get rolling.

Best way is ball control offense and limiting turnovers. You won’t win a shootout with KC.

And what do you think is the best way for the Steelers to achieve a ball control offense in this game?

[Ernie]

This is exactly correct! we cannot come out like we always do trying to run, they will be stacking the line and challenging us to try and throw. If we can prove we can burn them in passing and I'm not talking 30 yard bombs. We then can mix up and run.
We need new pass plays to tight ends and such.....we now have a chance.....we also need to blitz at times 6...

Agreed.. the TEs need to have a big game for us.

That stadium is going to be rocking.. and like you said... the chiefs are going to be stacking the LOS... with adrenaline through the roof. Zero chance we run the ball early.

[NorthCoast]

Even if Ben does have a turnover I'd take an aggressive approach all day over the same conservative approach the team has employed all season to start games. The team simply has no chance going that route. I remember watching the Titans play the Chiefs in Arrowhead during the playoffs the year the Chiefs won the SB. The Titans were actually up 10-0 and 17-7 and had 0 turnovers all game, the Chiefs would then score 4 straight TD's to take a 35-17 after the Titans offense stalled. Have to be aggressive offensively, pass to set up the run.

Turnovers giving KC extra possessions will just tire out the defense all that much faster leading to easy drives.
Gotta try to slow the game down by forcing KC to run the ball. Steelers will lose a track meet just like NE.
On offense, I don't see a tiger changing its stripes at this point. We'll see the 'safe ' passes and ask playmakers to get yards. If they can string together first downs (NO penalties!) they have a chance to slow the game and keep it within reach.

[T.Ferguson]

Turnovers giving KC extra possessions will just tire out the defense all that much faster leading to easy drives.
Gotta try to slow the game down by forcing KC to run the ball. Steelers will lose a track meet just like NE.
On offense, I don't see a tiger changing its stripes at this point. We'll see the 'safe ' passes and ask playmakers to get yards. If they can string together first downs (NO penalties!) they have a chance to slow the game and keep it within reach.

Here's the thing though, calling the same predictable sequence of plays like normal will result in 3 and outs or maybe a first down here or there which will also tire the defense out. The issues on offense begin with predictable plays and play design that ask the players to execute at an unrealistic level to sustain anything which is a big reason the team struggles to score points until they turn the ball over to Ben in the 4th. The team has to take some risks and try some different things to win this game, there's just no other way. And I agree I'm honesty not expecting much of a change but I hope to be pleasantly surprised.

[Ernie]

Turnovers giving KC extra possessions will just tire out the defense all that much faster leading to easy drives.
Gotta try to slow the game down by forcing KC to run the ball. Steelers will lose a track meet just like NE.
On offense, I don't see a tiger changing its stripes at this point. We'll see the 'safe ' passes and ask playmakers to get yards. If they can string together first downs (NO penalties!) they have a chance to slow the game and keep it within reach.

You may very well be right.. but in terms of "The tiger changing his stripes"... Canada needs to realize he needs to call plays like his job depends on it.

[WindyCitySteel]

Agreed 100%... and that starts with our "Last in the league" running game. If we come out the first few drives trying to establish the run (like we always do)... then we are cooked.
We have to open up the air attack early.. and sustain some drives... move the sticks.. soften up the defense enough to where we can gain positive yards on the run game.. effectively shortening the game. If we have multiple 3 and outs our score may be comparable to the Buffalo, NE game.

Depends. If we run like we always do, we're cooked. If we bring in two TEs and FB and do something not on the tape, we have a puncher's chance.

Tomlin is stubborn, though, we've already seen that with Harvin. He's likely going to run the same game plans and say "play better".

[Mr.wizard]

Depends. If we run like we always do, we're cooked. If we bring in two TEs and FB and do something not on the tape, we have a puncher's chance.

Tomlin is stubborn, though, we've already seen that with Harvin. He's likely going to run the same game plans and say "play better".

Except we aren't successful when we have gone with a heavy package, if you lineup with a FB and two TE's you are putting our weakness against their strength. You need to spread out the Chiefs and run out of the shotgun with RPO's, you will not win this game with a power run game.

[Captain Lemming]

Risk it and have another early turnover that creates a short field? No thanks.

Unless risk is throwing to the TE’s down the seam I’m not here for it.

Najee and dink and dunk to burn clock.

We cannot lose the turnover battle early and win.

My point is that being aggressive is not a guarantee that we turn it over. It might have that result but not guaranteed.

We need to hope 4th quarter Ben can play in the 1st. THEN run once we burn them a time or two.

If we start conservative, running Najee into an 8 man box setting up 3rd and longs we still can turn it over.

I just think we might surprise going away from our pattern.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

I’m sorry but based on last game and our last playoff game, I’m hoping we keep it conservative.

I think if we protect the ball we won’t be down big early.

does halftime count as "early"? cuz they WERE down big early if it does

Even Collinsworth just said, "ya can't help but wonder if they had gone hurry up sooner..."

[feltdizz]

does halftime count as "early"? cuz they WERE down big early if it does

Even Collinsworth just said, "ya can't help but wonder if they had gone hurry up sooner..."

KC is playing soft now.

and we went no huddle early on a few plays and still went 3 and out.

if DJ would catch the damn ball maybe some of those drives last a bit longer than 3 plays

[hawaiiansteel]

if DJ would catch the damn ball maybe some of those drives last a bit longer than 3 plays

Mike Tomlin should have caught those.

[Ernie]

Agreed 100%... and that starts with our "Last in the league" running game. If we come out the first few drives trying to establish the run (like we always do)... then we are cooked.
We have to open up the air attack early.. and sustain some drives... move the sticks.. soften up the defense enough to where we can gain positive yards on the run game.. effectively shortening the game. If we have multiple 3 and outs our score may be comparable to the Buffalo, NE game.

Well.. I wasn't wrong

[Ernie]

Mike Tomlin should have caught those.

Tomlin should have had a better offensive scheme to start the game

[hawaiiansteel]

Tomlin should have had a better offensive scheme to start the game

Tomlin needs to fire Matt Canada immediately after the game.

[Ernie]

Tomlin needs to fire Matt Canada immediately after the game.

Tomlin's not exempt from criticism in this one.